Drones
Page 7

Coming in all shapes and sizes, from tiny quad-copters to gargantuan solar-powered fixed-wing designs, drones are set to transform our lives in myriad ways. Having already made a huge impact in the military, numerous companies and research teams are exploring the commercial and civilian applications of unmanned aircraft – from autonomous sky-faring taxis to swarms of battlefield-ready flying robots.

​When DJI launched its diminutive Spark drone back in May, a key feature was a set of gesture controls that allowed users to ditch the joysticks and fly it with their hands. The Chinese company has now rolled out a firmware update that adds yet further functionality.

​If you should work up a thirst at the lakeside beach in the Estonian town of Viljandi, don't just head for the nearest store. Instead, simply send a text message. Within less than five minutes, a drone will arrive from the other side of Lake Viljandi, bearing your cold beverage.

Conventional multicopter drones are excellent at hovering and VTOL, but they can't cover long distances as efficiently as fixed-wing aircraft. A team from the Singapore University of Technology and Design is trying to get the best of both worlds with the Transformable HOvering Rotorcraft (THOR).

Earlier this year, DJI announced it would be taking on the entry-level, selfie drone market with its Spark. Along with challengers like the Yuneec Breeze, the smallest DJI quadcopter is priced within touching distance of the bigger Parrot Bebop 2. How do they compare?

DJI has played a huge role in delivering drones to the mass market, but there was one noticeable hole in the range. With a sub-US$500 price and an amateur friendly feature set, the Spark is aimed directly at competitors from its rivals. How does it stack up compared to the Yuneec Breeze?

While the more familiar consumer drones can reach perfectly respectable speeds of 40 mph (64 km/h) plus, racing drones are another matter entirely. These rapid quadcopters are built purely for speed, and none more so than the RacerX.

​​When Airdog arrived on the scene in 2014, it was one of the first drones to offer auto-tracking technology, commonly known as follow-me mode. A suite of competitors have since worked this feature into models of their own, and the team at Airdog seems intent on playing to its strengths.

Drones have opened the door to new some incredible new angles that, in past, would have required a DSLR and a personal helicopter pilot. Dronestagram, an online community for dedicated to drone photography enthusiasts, has released the winners of its annual photo contest. Here are some of the best.